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S. E. Ingebritsen

Publications and source records attributed to S. E. Ingebritsen.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
USGS1996

Geyser periodicity and the response of geysers to deformation

Numerical simulations of multiphase fluid and heat transport through a porous medium define combinations of rock properties and boundary conditions which lead to geyser‐like periodic discharge. Within the rather narrow range of conditions that allow geyser‐like behavior, eruption frequency and discharge are highly sensitive to the intrinsic permeabilities of the geyser conduit and the surrounding rock matrix, to the relative permeability functions assumed, and to pressure gradients in the matrix. In theory, heat pipes (concomitant upward flow of steam and downward flow of liquid) can exist under similar conditions, but our simulations suggest that the periodic solution is more stable. Simulated time series of geyser discharge are chaotic, but integrated quantities such as eruption frequency and mass discharge per eruption are free of chaos. These results may explain the observed sensitivity of natural geysers to small strains such as those caused by remote earthquakes, if ground motion is sufficient to induce permeability changes. Changes in geyser behavior caused by minor preseismic deformation, periodic surface loading, and Earth tides are more difficult to explain in the context of our current model.

Journal of Geophysical Research B: Solid Earth↗
USGS1996

Use of precipitation and groundwater isotopes to interpret regional hydrology on a tropical volcanic island: Kilauea volcano area, Hawaii

Isotope tracer methods were used to determine flow paths, recharge areas, and relative age for groundwater in the Kilauea volcano area of the Island of Hawaii. A network of up to 66 precipitation collectors was emplaced in the study area and sampled twice yearly for a 3-year period. Stable isotopes in rainfall show three distinct isotopic gradients with elevation, which are correlated with trade wind, rain shadow, and highelevation climatological patterns. Temporal variations in precipitation isotopes are controlled more by the frequency of storms than by seasonal temperature fluctuations. Results from this study suggest that (1) sampling network design must take into account areal variations in rainfall patterns on islands and in continental coastal areas and (2) isotope/elevation gradients on other tropical islands may be predictable on the basis of similar climatology. Groundwater was sampled yearly in coastal springs, wells, and a few high-elevation springs. Areal contrasts in groundwater stable isotopes and tritium indicate that the volcanic rift zones compartmentalize the regional groundwater system, isolating the groundwater south of Kilauea's summit and rift zones. Part of the Southwest Rift Zone appears to act as a conduit for water from higher elevation, but there is no evidence for downrift flow in the springs and shallow wells sampled in the lower East Rift Zone.

Water Resources Research↗
USGS1995

Total and non-seasalt sulfate and chloride measured in bulk precipitation samples from the Kilauea Volcano area, Hawaii

Six-month cumulative precipitation samples provide estimates of bulk deposition of sulfate and chloride for the southeast part of the Island of Hawaii during four time periods: August 1991 to February 1992, February 1992 to September 1992, March 1993 to September 1993, and September 1993 to February 1994. Total estimated bulk deposition rates for sulfate ranged from 0.12 to 24 grams per square meter per 180 days, and non-seasalt sulfate deposition ranged from 0.06 to 24 grams per square meter per 180 days. Patterns of non-seasalt sulfate deposition were generally related to prevailing wind directions and the proximity of the collection site to large sources of sulfur gases, namely Kilauea Volcano's summit and East Rift Zone eruption. Total chloride deposition from bulk precipitation samples ranged from 0.01 to 17 grams per square meter per 180 days. Chloride appeared to be predominantly from oceanic sources, as non- seasalt chloride deposition was near zero for most sites.

Hawaii↗
USGS1995

An isotope hydrology study of the Kilauea volcano area, Hawaii

Isotope tracer methods were used to determine flow paths, recharge areas, and relative age for ground water in the Kilauea volcano area on the Island of Hawaii. Stable isotopes in rainfall show three distinct isotopic gradients with elevation, which are correlated with trade-wind, rain shadow, and high-elevation climatological patterns. Temporal variations in isotopic composition of precipitation are controlled more by the frequency of large storms than b.y seasonal temperature fluctuations. Consistency in results between two separate areas with rainfall caused by tradewinds and thermally-driven upslope airflow suggests that isotopic gradients with elevation may be similar on other islands in the tradewind belt, especially the other Hawaiian Islands, which have similar climatology and temperature lapse rates. Areal contrasts in ground-water stable isotopes and tritium indicate that the volcanic ri~ zones compartmentalize the regional ground-water system. Tritium levels in ground water within and downgradient of Kilauea's ri~ zones indicate relatively long residence times. Part of Kilauea's Southwest Ri~ Zone appears to act as a conduit for water from higher elevation, but there is no evidence for extensive down-ri~ flow in the lower East Ri~ Zone.

Water-Resources Investigations Report↗
USGS1994

Hydrothermal systems of the Cascade Range, north-central Oregon

Quaternary volcanoes of the Cascade Range form a 1,200- kilometer-long arc that extends from southern British Columbia to northern California. The section of the Cascade Range volcanic arc in central Oregon is characterized by relatively high Quaternary volcanic extrusion rates and hot-spring discharge rates. Stableisotope data and measurements of hot-spring heat discharge indicate that gravity-driven thermal fluid circulation transports about 1 MW (megawatt) of heat per kilometer of arc length from the Quaternary arc into Western Cascade rocks older than about 7 Ma (millions of years before present). Inferred flow-path lengths for the Na-Ca-Cl thermal waters of the Western Cascades are 10 to 40 kilometers (km), and an average topographic gradient as large as 0.1 separates the inferred recharge areas from the hot-spring groups. Thermal-fluid residence times are probably 10 2 to 10 4 years: sulfate-water isotopic equilibrium indicates residence times of more than 10 2 years, and our interpretation of stable-isotope data implies residence times of less than 10 4 years.

Oregon↗
USGS1994

The computer model Hydrotherm, a three-dimensional finite-difference model to simulate ground-water flow and heat transport in the temperature range of 0 to 1,200 degrees C

Quantitative modeling of the deep parts of magmatic- hydrothermal systems has been limited by the lack of publicly available, documented computer models for multiphase, high-temperature flow. This report documents HYDROTHERM, a finite-difference model for three-dimensional, multiphase flow of pure water and heat over a temperature range of 0 to 1,200 degrees Celsius and a pressure range of 0.5 *0 10,000 bars.HYDROTHEP*M is an extension of multiphase geothermal models developed by the U.S. Geological Survey in the 1970's. It solves numerical approximations to mass- and energy-balance equations that are posed in terms of pressure and enthalpy. Major assumptions are that the rock matrix can be treated as a porous medium; that water and rock are in thermal equilibrium; and that capillary pressure is negligible.

Water-Resources Investigations Report↗
USGS1993

The hydrogeology of Kilauea volcano

The hydrogeology of Kilauea volcano and adjacent areas has been studied since the turn of this century. However, most studies to date have focused on the relatively shallow, low-salinity parts of the ground-water system, and the deeper hydrothermal system remains poorly understood. The rift zones of adjacent Mauna Loa volcano bound the regional ground-water flow system that includes Kilauea, and the area bounded by the rift zones of Kilauea and the ocean may comprise a partly isolated subsystem. Rates of ground-water recharge vary greatly over the area and discharge is difficult to measure, because streams are ephemeral and most ground-water discharges diffusely at or below sea level. Hydrothermal systems exist at depth in Kilauea's cast and southwest rift zone, as evidenced by thermal springs at the coast and wells in the lower east-rift zone. Available data suggest that dike-impounded, heated ground water occurs at relatively high elevations in the upper east-and southwest-rift zones of Kilauea, and that permeability at depth in the rift zones (probably < 10-15 m2) is much lower than that of unaltered basalt flows closer to the surface (> 10 10 m2). Substantial variations in permeability and the presence of magmatic heat sources influence the structure of the fresh water-salt water interface, so the Ghyben-Herzberg model will often fail to predict its position. Numerical modeling studies have considered only subsets of the hydrothermal system, because no existing computer code solves the coupled fluid-flow, heat- and solute-transport problem over the temperature and salinity range encountered at Kilauea. ?? 1993.

Geothermics↗
USGS1993

Heat flow from four new research drill holes in the Western Cascades, Oregon, U.S.A.

Conceptual models of the thermal structure of the Oregon Cascade Range propose either (1) a narrow zone of magmatic heat sources, flanked by shallow heat-flow anomalies caused by lateral ground-water flow; or (2) a wide zone of magmatic heat sources, with localized, generally negligible ground-water effects. The proposed narrow heat source coincides with the Quaternary volcanic arc, whereas the wider heat source would extend 10–30 km west of the arc. To test the models, four new heat-flow holes were sited west of the Quaternary arc but within the area of the proposed wide heat source. The sites are separated from the Quaternary arc by topographic divides and (or) major river valleys, so that heating by regional-scale ground-water flow seems unlikely. Measured heat flow (76±5 mW mm −2 ) was significantly lower than the values predicted by interpolation from an existing heat-flow contour map (95±7 mW m −2 ). The lower values are consistent with a narrow zone of magmatic heat sources. The complete heat-flow data set consists mostly of shallow (100–200 m) data and defines lobate highs around hot-spring groups in the Western Cascades. However, all of the deepest holes in the study area (44°–45°15′N) show hydrologic gradient disturbances extending to depths >200 m, so the shallow data must be extrapolated with caution.

Oregon↗
USGS1993

Controls on geyser periodicity

Geyser eruption frequency is not constant over time and has been shown to vary with small (≤10 –6 ) strains induced by seismic events, atmospheric loading, and Earth tides. The geyser system is approximated as a permeable conduit of intensely fractured rock surrounded by a less permeable rock matrix. Numerical simulation of this conceptual model yields a set of parameters that controls geyser existence and periodicity. Much of the responsiveness to remote seismicity and other small strains in the Earth can be explained in terms of variations in permeability and lateral recharge rates.

Science↗
USGS1993

Preliminary results from an isotope hydrology study of the Kilauea Volcano area, Hawaii

Deuterium (D) content of groundwater and precipitation, and tritium content of selected groundwater samples are used to infer flowpaths for groundwater in the Kilauea Volcano area. The spatial distribution of calculated recharge elevations and residence times for groundwater samples tends to support the idea that Kilauea's rift zones comprise leaky boundaries within the regional groundwater flow system, partly isolating the groundwater in the area bounded by the rift zones and the Pacific Ocean. The southwest rift zone also appears to act as a conduit for groundwater recharged at relatively high elevation. The relation between precipitation ??D values and elevation differs between areas receiving frequent rainfall and areas where most rainfall occurs during storm events.

Conference Paper↗
USGS1990

Numerical simulation of hydrothermal circulation in the Cascade Range, north-central Oregon

Alternate conceptual models to explain near-surface heat-flow observations in the central Oregon Cascade Range involve (1) an extensive mid-crustal magmatic heat source underlying both the Quaternary arc and adjacent older rocks or (2) a narrower deep heat source which is flanked by a relatively shallow conductive heat-flow anomaly caused by regional ground-water flow (the lateral-flow model). Relative to the mid-crustal heat source model, the lateral-flow model suggests a more limited geothermal resource base, but a better-defined exploration target. We simulated ground-water flow and heat transport through two cross sections trending west from the Cascade range crest in order to explore the implications of the two models. The thermal input for the alternate conceptual models was simulated by varying the width and intensity of a basal heat-flow anomaly and, in some cases, by introducing shallower heat sources beneath the Quaternary arc. Near-surface observations in the Breitenbush Hot Springs area are most readily explained in terms of lateral heat transport by regional ground-water flow; however, the deep thermal structure still cannot be uniquely inferred. The sparser thermal data set from the McKenzie River area can be explained either in terms of deep regional ground-water flow or in terms of a conduction-dominated system, with ground-water flow essentially confined to Quaternary rocks and fault zones.

Conference Paper↗
USGS1989

Heat flow and hydrothermal circulation in the Cascade Range, north-central Oregon

In north-central Oregon a large area of near-zero near-surface conductive heat flow occurs in young volcanic rocks of the Cascade Range. Recent advective heat flux measurements and a heat-budget analysis suggest that ground-water circulation sweeps sufficient heat out of areas where rocks younger than 6 Ma (million years ago) are exposed to account for the anomalously high advective and conductive heat discharge measured in older rocks at lower elevations. Earlier workers have proposed that an extensive midcrustal magmatic heat source is responsible for this anomalously high heat flow. Instead, high heat flow in the older rocks may be a relatively shallow phenomenon caused by regional ground-water flow. Any deeper anomaly may be relatively narrow, spatially variable, and essentially confined to the Quaternary (less than 2 Ma) arc. Magmatic intrusion at a rate of 9 to 33 cubic kilometers per kilometer of arc length per million years can account for the total heat flow anomaly. Deep drilling in the areas of high heat flow in the older rocks could indicate which model is more appropriate for the near-surface heat flow data.

Oregon↗
USGS1987

CONCEPTUAL MODELS FOR THE LASSEN HYDROTHERMAL SYSTEM.

The Lassen hydrothermal system, like a number of other systems in regions of moderate to great topographic relief, includes steam-heated features at higher elevations and high-chloride springs at lower elevations, connected to and fed by a single circulation system at depth. Two conceptual models for such systems are presented. They are similar in several ways: however, there are basic differences in terms of the nature and extent of vapor-dominated conditions beneath the steam-heated features. For some Lassen-like systems, these differences could have environmental and economic implications. Available data do not make it possible to establish a single preferred model for the Lassen system, and the actual system is complex enough that both models may apply to different parts of the system.

Bulletin. Geothermal Resources Council↗
USGS1986

Shallow subsurface temperature surveys in the Basin and Range province, U.S.A.-I. Review and evaluation

Temperature surveys at depths of 1–2 m have had varying success in geothermal exploration in the Basin and Range province. The most successful surveys have identified patterns of near-surface thermal-fluid flow within areas of less than 2 km 2 . Results have been less consistent in larger areas where zones of hydrothermal upflow are less well known, nongeothermal perturbing factors are significant and lateral variations in shallow subsurface temperature are small. Nongeothermal perturbations can be minimized by use of mean annual temperatures instead of synoptic temperatures, by physically based simulation of ground temperatures or by statistical modeling.

Geothermics↗